Road closure for State Highway 6 for emergency repairs

Closure from 1 November to 18 December 2022

22 October 2022

Update on SH6 road closure between Hira and Ronga Road near Rai Valley

As previously announced, we need to complete emergency repairs on State Highway 6 (SH6). We are closing the road between Hira and Ronga Road near Rai Valley on SH6 from Tuesday, 1 November at 6am until Sunday 18 December. We will advise the exact re-opening time later.

People can travel between Blenheim and Nelson by using State Highway 63 (SH63) through to Kawatiri junction, then SH6.

After the recent weather event in August, we opened SH6 quickly to help keep people moving, while more permanent fixes were being completed on SH63.

Now that we have completed the repairs on SH63, we need to get back onto SH6 to fix five substantially damaged sites, which include areas of underslips. Three of these will require us to significantly cut back the road before we can build it back up again.

We will also be replacing approximately 20 culverts that cross the road, and undertaking other maintenance works, as much as possible without compromising the critical path to completion of the five main sites by Sunday 18 December.

We recognise that there is still considerable uncertainty facing residents in Rai Valley, Havelock, Okiwi Bay, Hira, Cable Bay, and nearby areas.

At this stage, we know that it is not possible to provide any vehicle access through the closure zone as the entire road width will be utilised for emergency repairs. Extensive works will be underway at the five main sites and 20 culvert replacement sites.

We have investigated alternative access options at the Rai Valley end. Unfortunately, the forestry roads at this end have been damaged during the August weather event and are not a suitable alternate route.

We understand that using the SH63 detour, will have a significant impact on many people. We need to get these emergency repairs completed as soon as possible. The severity of the damage to the road and the type of work required to fix it means it is not possible to offer restricted access to the closure zone from the Rai Valley side.

Anyone who is not in the closure zone will need to use the SH63 route to get to Nelson.

We understand the pressure this puts on people in locations where their journey to Nelson will take significantly longer, or be unfeasible, via the SH63 route. We are working with local Councils and other organisations to see what support can be provided.

The closure area on SH6 is between Hira and just before Ronga Road on the Nelson side. People coming from Blenheim will still be able to access Havelock, Rai Valley and Ronga Road using SH6.

We are working closely with the people within the closure zone, in the Kokorua Road area to provide secure and safe access from their properties out to Hira.

Our contractors are gearing up for these emergency works. There will be around 100 to 150 workers each day over the five construction sites, plus additional workers carrying out other maintenance and resilience work.

Work will be undertaken predominately during daylight hours. To speed the project’s progress, some work will be done at night. This will be subject to resources, programming, and the health and safety of our crews. Contractors will be working on site seven days a week.

We are working with the people who have stock located within the road closure to provide access. If you do have stock within the road closure and have not been contacted by us or our contractor, please email Tasman-Nelson-recovery@nzta.govt.nz

If you have a particular situation caused by the SH6 closure and would like support or assistance, email Tasman-Nelson-recovery@nzta.govt.nz and we will help you connect to the most appropriate agency or organisation.

Detour maps

People can travel between Blenheim and Nelson by using State Highway 63 (SH63) through to Kawatiri junction, then SH6.

We do understand there are other options to travel on local roads from St Arnaud. We recommend people stay on the state highways, as they are safer and suited to higher traffic volumes and all vehicle types.